3-Puree Fruit Sparkler (Berry, Mango or Watermelon Mint)
A bright, bubbly fruit puree mocktail: homemade berry, mango or watermelon puree with fresh lime and sparkling water over ice. One easy formula, three drinks, plus a pitcher version. Alcohol-free.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ripe fruit, chopped for the puree: berries (raspberry, strawberry, blueberry), mango, or seedless watermelon; fresh or thawed frozen (makes about 3/4 cup, enough for 3 drinks or 2 watermelon ones)
- 1 to 2 tbsp water only if needed to get the blender going
- 2 oz fruit puree 1/4 cup; use 3 oz for watermelon
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice 1 tbsp, about 1/2 lime
- 1/2 oz simple syrup 1 tbsp, optional; taste your puree first
- 4 oz sparkling water or club soda 1/2 cup, chilled; or lemon-lime soda for a sweeter drink
- 4 to 5 fresh mint leaves for the watermelon version only
- ice to fill the glass
- raspberries, lime wheel or mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Make the puree: blend the fruit until completely smooth, adding 1 to 2 tbsp water only if the blender needs help. For raspberries or blackberries, push the puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds. Taste it before adding any sweetener.
- For the watermelon version only: gently press the mint leaves with the lime juice in the bottom of a 12 oz glass to release their oils. Don't shred them.
- Add the puree, lime juice and simple syrup (if using) to the glass and stir to combine.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Slowly pour in the sparkling water and give it one gentle stir.
- Garnish with raspberries (berry), a lime wheel (mango) or a mint sprig (watermelon). Sip right away.
Notes
How to order it at a bar or soda shop: At a soda shop, ask what fruit purees they carry, then order "club soda (or Sprite) with mango puree and fresh lime." At a bar or restaurant, ask for "strawberry or mango puree with lime and a little simple syrup, topped with soda water on ice, no alcohol." A virgin daiquiri on the rocks topped with soda works too. Say "light on the syrup" so the fruit shines.
Make the puree: fresh fruit puree keeps about 3 days in a sealed jar in the fridge. Freeze extra in ice cube trays and use within a few months for the best flavor. Stir before using; watermelon puree separates as it sits.
Simple syrup: stir equal parts sugar and hot water until dissolved, then cool. Keeps in the fridge about 2 weeks. Honey, agave or maple syrup mixed 1:1 with warm water work too.
Pitcher (8 drinks): stir 2 cups puree, 1/2 cup lime juice and up to 1/2 cup simple syrup in a pitcher and chill up to 4 hours. Add 1 liter cold sparkling water right before serving and pour over ice.
Allergens: as written, no dairy, eggs, gluten, nuts, soy or sesame. If you use the Pineapple-Coconut puree from this post, it contains coconut: the FDA no longer lists coconut as a major-allergen tree nut (2025 update), but some people with nut allergies react to it, so check with your doctor if you're allergic to tree nuts or coconut. If you sweeten with honey, don't serve it to babies under 1 year old.